Byron Bay’s Bluesfest first lineup announcement traditionally isn’t made public for another 6 weeks, but festival organisers are too excited to keep this impressive collection of musical acts under wraps any longer.

Headlining the five-day festival, which will take place over Easter from March 28 – April 1, 2013, is the returning Ben Harper. A Bluesfest favourite, Festival Director Peter Noble is ecstatic to have Harper back on the bill and explains the special bond between the singer/songwriter and the festival.

“There is something about Ben and Bluesfest that cannot be put into words…to hear him perform at the festival that discovered him is almost an experience approaching mysticism…it is transcendental…you have been warned,” said Noble.

Joining Harper at Bluesfest 2013 is guitar hero Santana, who will be making his very first appearance at Bluesfest. Having been a presence in popular music for over five decades, Santana, along with the Rolling Stones (not appearing at Bluesfest just to be clear) are the only two musical acts to have recorded at least one top ten hit in each decade since the 1960s.

Another major act whose origins reach back to the 60s is Iggy & The Stooges. A band perhaps not immediately associated with ‘the blues’, Iggy & The Stooges’ brand of spaced-out acid punk rock will bring an energetic element to the festival while still keeping within the overall vibe of Bluesfest.

Other acts include the smooth crooning Chris Isaak, Boston celtic punk veterans the Dropkick Murphy’s, and alternative rock act Wilco, plus many more as listed, and remember that this is only the first lineup announcement.